Recreational paddlers on the Grasse River. Canton Canoe Weekend photo.
CANTON — Canton Canoe Weekend is celebrating its 60th year in 2022 on May 6-8, with many events, old and new.
In honor of the 60th year, organizers will again host the Friday afternoon Rushton Tour on May 6. The afternoon paddle will take place between 4 and 6 p.m., with a flexible start time.
The recreational paddle begins at the Pyrites boat launch and continues downstream 4.5 miles, concluding at Taylor Park, following along much of the original race course.
On May 7 there will be a variety of activities from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Taylor Park on the Grasse River. A new adaptive canoe and kayak launch located at the park will be dedicated in the morning as the John Henry Rushton ADA Adaptive Canoe/Kayak Launch.
The dedication will be followed by a variety of recreational races, one, three, five and eight miles in length. This year there will be a special division in the one- and three-mile races for paddlers in Rushton style boats. This new Rushton Cup event is sponsored by Slipstream Watercraft and will feature special awards.
The Saturday morning recreational races will be followed by solo canoe and kayak amateur and pro races.
NCPR is the event’s media sponsor, DJ Double Dutch will provide music throughout the day, and a chicken BBQ is planned.
TAUNY, St Lawrence County Historical Association, Commercial Press Ink, Grasse River Outfitters, Southern Tier Canoe, St Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and other organizations will be on site to celebrate the 60th year of the event.
New for 2022, a number of boat builders will be present on Saturday, May 7, providing boats for the public to try out. Hornbeck Boats, Slipstream Watercraft and GRB Newman Designs will be at Taylor Park,
On Sunday morning tandem canoe and kayak amateur and pro races will wrap up the weekend race schedule.
While recreational races draw many local paddlers, the pro races attract paddlers from across the United States and Canada.
Also featured in town May 6-8, at The TAUNY Center in downtown Canton, the Hornbeck Exhibit: Lightest Boats in the Deep Woods.
On Sunday, May 8, the public is invited to take part in the festivities. Bring Hornbeck boats to the parking lot behind TAUNY and enjoy refreshments and the music of Jamcrackers.
Following this event, there will be a group paddle in the afternoon on the Grasse River.
For more information, visit www.cantoncanoeweekend.org .
Recreational paddlers on the Grasse River. Canton Canoe Weekend photo.
